Discovering Web 2.0 Tools

Here is another way to get lost and have some fun. I really enjoyed looking at a variety of the sites. Because the exercise asked for library applications, I will try for this post to limit to just one category that has potential for use at the library. I selected to explore the category of "lists and polls" from the Web 2.0 award nominees. On my City computer, 43 things was blocked. Because many customers ask for the Book of Lists, I spent a lot of time exploring listdump This site is a community where people contribute to the lists and viewers vote to prioritize the list. There was a list for the most beautiful mountain ranges in the United States to a list for the best places to find people online. This lead me to a site called Wink. I was able to enter a person's name and find all the links about that person in one easy list. Unlike a Google search, I really honed in on the right individual each time. Pretty slick. While this site may lack hardcore authority, it will appeal to many people and may even satisfy the curosity of most.

On Google docs, I created a very simple PowerPoint presentation. It's so simple that it is only 3 slides. Hey time is precious! If you want to see my PowerPoint on fire extinguishers, check it out.

How to use an extinguisher

Now for the great debate of using Google docs versus using the Microsoft Office on the desktop. Both have value. For me at this point in time, I probably prefer using what is on my desktop. If I were collaborating on a big project or a student working on a group assignment, then Google docs would be the way to go. The good feature is that it provides an option for when I might be without my own computer but would want to create a document on a public PC. There are so many choices that it is no wonder that customers and consumers are saying, "It's all about me and what I want."

I've Been in the Sandbox

Like a kid, I have been playing in the sandbox! It looks like some of my colleagues have been playing there as well. I have added the URL to this blog, commented about one of my favorit restaurants, Oregano's, and added information on some of my favorite books. I love cozy mysteries. The experience was definitely very easy. I guess that is why this exercise is all about play. I had fun!

Wiki #16

In the last Strategic Plan, the community stated that the library should be a source for community information and referral. A wiki could serve this purpose very nicely. Content could be added by anyone to create and ultimate "one stop shop" for information that is relevant for the community. With anyone able to participate, the content would be relevant and become whatever the community wanted it to be. In looking at the various examples, it appears that wikis are open for spamming and other types of inappropriate acts. In a library setting where a professional standard and information reliability is crucial, controls would need to be employed.

One of the applications for wikis that I would like to explore is to change the policy manual to a wiki format. It seems that we are constantly updating sections of the manual or adding new content. While we only print a limited number of the policy manuals, this would make editing and revisions so much easier. It would also allow us to post changes more rapidly and make the policies easier to search.

The wiki is a wonderful tool for resource sharing. It not only allows a resource to be shared, but it also allows the resource to be enhanced. I feel that this is a tool that is currently under-utilized. I am serving on a committee with Aimee, Ken, and some IS folks to develop a database and more reliable online submital form for library incidents. One of our work tools is a wiki! I'm feeling so cutting edge! (Okay, okay! Most of the time, I'm feeling on edge. Give me a break, I'm learning.)

Articles about Web 2.0

One thing is for certain. Nothing stays the same for very long, and if it does; it is no longer functioning. I read all 5 perspective articles. I will comment on "Away from the Icebergs" and "To More Powerful Ways to Cooperate".

In the Icebergs article, I agree that we are moving away from the "just in case" collection. Why spend money on what someone might want when we can purchase what someone wants right now! This strategy focuses on need. In the digital world, immediate gratification will be the norm. Rick Anderson spoke about how libraries are poorly equipped and understaffed for teaching. I would add that we also need time to educate staff. This is what has been so great about SPL's Learning 2.0. Again, there has to be a commitment to training and for everyone to make time for it. It's not just nice. It is essential.

In "To More Powerful Ways to Cooperate", Chip Nilges points out is that "users add value". In the library world, this is a very new concept going from where librarians were the experts to allowing the general public come to the table and add content whether it is tagging or creation of lists, etc.

It's not that libraries are changing; they are transforming! Breaking down the barriers and inviting participation makes for a more welcoming environment whether it is a physical or virtual place.

Technorati

This is definitely a site that you can lose track of time exploring. No topic seems to be too small for blogging. In search for "learning 2.0" in Technorati, I discovered that there are more posts than blogs. "How many?" Well, the number changes constantly since people are adding to the content. The number also changes if you refine your sarch by the level of authority or the language that you want. One feature that is pretty neat for those who track usage is the chart that shows the content for 30 days of posts that have been tagged as "learning 2.0". Tagging is just the modern term for assigning subject headings or developing keyword access. Now everyone, not just librarians, can get into the act of classifying and cataloging data. It's pretty cool to give the power to the people who write the content.

So Delicious!

I listened to the podcast, took the tutorial, signed up for an acount, and did some exploring. In my explorations, I came up a really relevant article about the importance of social media to business. It reminded me of the question that was asked in the previous exercise of the value or My Space or Facebook to libraries. If social media is good for business or as the article says "catch up or catch you later", then by all means, it libraries should go all the way. Article

My Space & Facebook

I created accounts in both My Space and Facebook under an alias. I think it is an age thing. All my early teachers drilled into me the adage,"fool's names like fool's faces often appear in public places". I did enjoy exploring. I locate my daughter and some of her friends. I also tried to see if I could find some of my old school friends. My Space is definitely for a younger crowd; however, I did find one old acquaintance that I have not seen or heard from in over 30 years. I was amazed at how many things that we still had in common. It was certainly easy to reconnect. I think this demonstrates that more people of all ages will be experimenting with social networks to strengthen their connections with others or to rekindle old friendships.

Recently, we were able to use My Space to "ID" some young men who used the library. I think that My Space and Facebook can be a tool for libraries, police, or other organizations. In attending the Big Picture presentation on February 19, George Needham talked about surveys that were commissioned by OCLC that demonstrated that privacy is not as high on most people's priority list as librarians would imagine. Looking at the popularity and use of these site offers further testimony to that fact. Bold organizations have a presence on these sites and I feel that more will follow.

One Librarian's Catalog

I loved creating my own catalog. This is pretty slick. I came upon titles that will soom be published so now I have a new list of books to reserve. There are a variety of groups and discussion on LibraryThing. It is amazing what has been created that draw people together or to simplify tasks. I also explored and created a widget. I want to do more with widgets in the future. It seems that Blogger is having difficulty accepting my widget as well as the link to my catalog. If you would like to take a look at my catalog, check it out! The URL is as follows:



Cmal's library catalog

Image Generating

Well, I have started out the week by playing with some image generators. There are so many to chose from -- not only those listed on the splslearning site but also those that can be found by a simple search of image generators. I found one for a favorite literary character, Dumbledore. In this case, I used the image that I found and added my own caption. Perhaps my humor could use a small dose of magic. If you are interested, you can try this link to see what others have added or create your own caption. http://www.imagegenerator.net/create/dumbledore/

cmal

More Food for Thought or Adding Feeds

I have explored a number of ways to locate and add feeds to my bloglines account. Bloglines has a number of really good links on their site and I added a few of these. I also tried searching in Google for RSS and my topic of interest. I also found this very easy. I spent time exploring Topix, Syndic8.com and Technorati. I really was not as impressed with these site as much as I was with Bloglines.

In subscribing to feeds, it is important to determine the level of authority that you want for your information.I have and interest in nutrition and fitness. In a number of feeds, the information was really no better than a commerical. Even in adding a blog, if it is from a person that you don't know, the information should not be taken as totally valid.

It is truly amazing the vast amount of information that can be obtained. I look forward to more exploration in this area.

cmal

Lesson 8

Life teaches us lots of lessons. Perhaps, the most important now is that one is or should never be too old or too stubborn to learn. I have made it through Lesson 8 of Learning 2.0. According to the Tackies, I have achieved the most challenging of the lessons. I have creeated an online bloglines account and have added 11 or 12 feeds. In addition, I have made my account public so that if you would like, you can check out my public account and see what feeds that I have subscribed to. Here is the URl: http://www.bloglines.com/public/cmal

Now it is onward to lesson #9. It is good to know that the hard part is behind? Could it be wishful thinking?

cmal

Just a Little Technology Talk

In the next couple of months, I-Novah will be coming to the 4 libraries in Scottsdale. This will be a huge step forward drawing us closer to e-commerce. Online payment of fines will be a win-win situation by simplifying cash handling, reduce the number of people who make payments in the libraries, reduce waiting time in lines, etc. just to name a few advantages. Changes do not happen easily or overnight. It involves many working together to move forward in a proactive manner. It just shows that there really is strength in numbers.